Merlot, Glen Ellen House
Wine Wednesday!
Glen Ellen House~ Concannon~Glen Ellen Reserve
Merlot 2011, California
The label reads “Medium bodied Merlot with fruit flavors of cherry and plum”
When I take a whiff of this Merlot I smell raspberries. The kind waiting to be eaten all up. This is a surprise because it is not a fruit wine. It is a Merlot grape. Merlot’s, I typically find to smell deeply of barrel aged grapes, they smell strong and daring not always so inviting. Next I take a sip and my taste buds do a little jig for at first there is the Merlot I know and love that robust “I’m wine, like me or leave me,” taste. Then it is followed by a happy finish. It’s sweet!? I have never had a sweet Merlot before. There is a cherry flavor just as the label descriptions says, a dark cherry. This would go perfectly with dark chocolate.
This is not a blend, but I recommend it to those who tend to like red wine blends. If you like sweet wines I encourage you to try this, however it is not a super sweet wine. It could be more classified as a semi-sweet wine. If you are a Merlot lover, sip with caution. It is not anything like a typical Merlot. Concannon’s Glen Ellen Reserve I found to be delightful and easy to drink and will likely purchase it again.
Writing more in 2014
One of my goals this year in 2014 is not only to write more but also to write more for my blog/site. I’ve had it for a few years now and there have been periods of time which I neglected it. That is all about to change. I have some fresh ideas for Booksbyvicki.com, some of which branch out to more than just books. I am super excited and hope you all will stay tuned. Pay attention to my NEW Categories on the right hand side which include Envy, Fandom, Wine Lover & Movie Mania. Glad you dropped in for a visit!
[Top]Wine Wednesdays
To kick off Wine Wednesdays I would like to share my history with wine. At the ripe age of 21, I fancied visiting wineries here in the Central Virginia area. If you don’t already know, there are many. You can hardly leave one before stumbling upon another. The rich Virginia soil and the humid climate makes for growing some of the best grapes in the world. (Virginia Wine Lovers Magazine’s words not mine alone.) Unfortunately I am not forever 21 but I hope I am something like wine and get better with age. Over these last few years I have tasted wine at 30 plus wineries in Virginia, North Carolina, and Michigan. Wine festivals are my ideal kind, where I can explore familiar favorites along with new varietals. While in Serbia this fall I attended the Grozdjebal 2013 (Grape Festival) and had the opportunity to try many wines from native Serbia, Croatia and Germany. That being said, I’d like to think I’m on my way to becoming a wine connoisseur. If you have a passion for wine keep visiting on Wednesdays for a wine tasting review. And who knows maybe there is a book about wine in the future?
[Top]The root of envy
Car wrecks, vandalism, girlfriends clubbing their boyfriends to death with 6 inch heels, what has our little city come to? “I just don’t know what got into me,” one criminal states. Another man confesses, “I was full of jealousy and rage!” Jealousy or was it envy? I’m not a psychiatrist, but jealousy is the fear that something you have will be taken away and envy is wanting what someone else has. More and more civilians are attributing their wrong doings to this new super villain. Few can however give any evidence to her or her motive. What could make these people so envious to commit such harsh acts? Or is the bigger question what makes Envy so?
[Top]12 Years A Slave
A Movie Review By Tyler McKinney
Chiwetel Ejiofor (pronounced Choo-ih-tell “Edge”-ee-o-for) presents to us the storied life of Solomon Northup, a born free black man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1841. Based on a true story, and adapted from Northup’s own published memoir’s of the same name. Directed by Steve McQueen and co written with John Ridley (Red Tails), this account of a 12 year decent into the hell that was slave existence shows us how truly cruel man can be. Complete with narcissistic plantation owners who see themselves as god’s among their “property”, this film is full of characters who seemingly have no empathy for the people of whom they think should be eternally grateful for some odd reason. Leaving both the movie goer and Solomon Northup wondering how this strange world could be part of our own, it’s madness. With outstanding performances from Paul Dano (There Will Be Blood and Little Miss Sunshine) and Lupita Nyong’o, the supporting cast is every bit as strong as the lead role sets the tone throughout movie. Chiwetel Ejiofor hail’s from London, England and although he’s been acting in movies as early as 1996, he has certainly gotten much ado attention with his most recent performance and will no doubt be in demand for the coming years blockbuster hopefuls. So we had better start learning how to correctly pronounce his name now, as I for one do not want to sound silly.
[Top]It’s my 1/2 birthday!
Ever since I had to wait to be 15 and 6 months to get my driving learners permit, February 16th has been a day of celebration. It is my half birthday, and I dote on it every year. Come to think of it, the 18th is special to me also. February 18th is the day my book, Feel Free to Fly was released. So in honor of my novella being out for 6 years now, if you haven’t already purchased a copy it is not too late!
If you feel like celebrating with me, gifts are always appreciated. For my half birthday I would adore one of the following:
Or of course I could always wait for my true birthday which is August 16th 😉
Do any of you celebrate your half birthdays???
[Top]
Mindy WHO?
Mindy Kaling, my new hero! I fell in love with Mindy on her show “The Mindy Project.” Soon afterward, I learned that she wrote for “The Office.” You know that dry comedy that everyone rants about. That was never a show that I got into but everyone else I knew thought it was great. Solely because of Mindy, I gave it another chance and found it to be pretty funny in fact.
My love for this Bostonian Indian woman has grown so much that for Christmas I asked for her book. Can I just say, she is freaking hilarious. Maybe, just maybe, one day I can write funny like her. Her book, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me, talks about her life. The recount starts from her childhood and goes into the present. She speaks volumes about her admiration for comedy and how she herself became so humorous. I had no idea that her claim to fame was the play that she wrote with her best friend, called Matt & Ben. It is about a young Matt Damon and Ben Affleck and how “Good Will Hunting” came to be, and of course it’s next on my reading list. Mindy Kaling, is smart, beautiful, and so full of talent and inspiration. I hope she is around for a long long time.
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New Children’s Story
The idea for Sharie’s New Friend, my new children’s book-to-be, started with a walk to the park and my own love for turtles. I have had thoughts on writing a children’s book before but never so strong as when I met Amber Turtle. I saved her from a busy road in Alexandria, Virginia and returned her to her pond from whence she came. I remember as a child always wanting to bring home the creatures I found and keep them as my own. Actually, I think I did once or twice which never turned out the way I imagined. Never the less, the story of Amber needed to be told and how she met a little girl named Sharie. Sharie wanted to bring Amber home with her but instead learned that Amber needed to remain in her own habitat with her own family.
My good friend and artist of many hats, Aaron Angus is currently working on illustrations to go along with the story. Since I am terrible at drawing anything other than stick figures, he is in charge in making my text come alive with story pictures. I am thrilled at how they are turning out and hope that you all can read Sharie’s New Friend by this Summer!
Just In
Richmond City Police Department confirms an influx in crime within the past two weeks. Is Envy to blame? Sources says YES. Investigators and Journalists alike are trying to nail this woman who calls herself Envy. Witnesses have reported that her hair turns a neon green when she is up to mischief. No one can confirm what her true hair color is or identify the face to all this chaos. Common citizens are going mad and doing awful things in our community. Envy, is one of the deadly sins. Our men in blue won’t rest until they find her, neither will I.
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